Page Text: I wrote this book after working on a project involving several school
districts that made use of videoconferencing equipment and emerging
digital communication tools to connect students to people, ideas, and
resources in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics.
Kids in all grades used the technology to learn more about jobs and
careers in these fields they otherwise would never have known existed.
Typically, students spend most of their days in the classroom, but they are
fascinated by the outside world, and they are proficient with digital
technology tools and new media. Why not use the technology to open their
eyes about possibilities beyond the classroom?
Career awareness activities can begin for students as young as
kindergarten age. Youngsters I've observed visiting the International
Space Station via video were mesmerized and engaged. They will forever
know they could be an astronaut too if they study science, math,
technology, and engineering.
Digital media can be utilized to establish relationships with mentors, bring
career awareness information to students, and provide an array of
communication programs between the classroom and real-life
professionals.
The book is filled with links to resources and ideas for teachers. It
includes examples of how to expand awareness for students, provide
teachers with experience using the technologies, and ways to bring the
world to students in their classrooms, no matter how remote and far from
an urban area they might be located.
Teachers can use the book to access resources to expand existing
programs in career awareness, to find ideas for interesting their students
in STEM courses by showing them authentic applications for these
subjects. Use this book to find new ways to support K-12 students as they
discover the world and find meaning and passion in what they must learn.
The book was published by the International Society for Technology in
Education: